![Looking at a grand coalition for Ireland’s government](https://www.irishcentral.com/static/IC-default-800x500-2022.jpg?t=1582201947)
![](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/author/33/resized_MI_John_Spain_Howth_photo.jpg)
John Spain
John is a veteran Dublin journalist who has worked in senior editorial positions in national newspapers in Ireland for 40 years. He has been writing his weekly Ireland Calling column for the Irish Voice newspaper in New York since its foundation. The column now also appears on IrishCentral.
A graduate in Economics and Politics from Trinity College Dublin, John started his career in the early 1970s in the Irish Press, where he worked in News and Features and was Assistant Editor of the paper for over ten years. He joined the Irish Independent group in 1987 and worked in News and News Analysis and as an editorial writer. He also worked as Features Editor and Supplements Editor, developing new sections for the paper like the Weekend magazine and starting the educational supplements which are now a regular part of Irish newspapers.
Now semi-retired, in recent years he has been Literary Editor of the Irish Independent. When his now adult children ask him why he doesn't write books he points out that his weekly Irish Voice column has been running for 29 years and that adds up to a small library!
Latest Stories
![Looking at a grand coalition for Ireland’s government](https://www.irishcentral.com/static/IC-default-800x500-2022.jpg?t=1582201947)
![Irish general election a Sinn Féin con job](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/2/137285/thumb_mary_lou_mcdonald_sinn_fein_general_election_2020___rollingnews.jpg?t=1581934239)
Irish general election a Sinn Féin con job
![Has Sinn Féin’s day come at last?](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/2/137162/thumb_Leo_Varadkar_Mary_lou_McDonald_RollingNews.jpg?t=1580944093)
Has Sinn Féin’s day come at last?
![A rag-bag Irish government looks likely post election 2020](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/1/137075/thumb_Seven_party_leaders_debate_General_Election_2020_RollingNews.jpeg?t=1580382830)
A rag-bag Irish government looks likely post election 2020
![The imperfect start to Ireland’s General Election 2020](https://www.irishcentral.com/static/IC-default-800x500-2022.jpg?t=1579773788)
The imperfect start to Ireland’s General Election 2020
![Ulster says “Yes”, reluctantly](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/1/136779/thumb_resized_Arlene_Foster_Democratic_Unionist_Party_Getty.jpg?t=1579191115)
Ulster says “Yes”, reluctantly
![No border, economic meltdown - time for Ireland to face Brexit reality](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2020/1/136679/thumb_Leo_Varadkar_Boris_Johnson_Dublin_Sep_2019_RollinNews.jpg?t=1578571778)
No border, economic meltdown - time for Ireland to face Brexit reality
![Boris era begins in UK - Brexit gets done](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2019/12/136457/thumb_Boris_Tory_cabinet_meeting_post_Election_2019_Getty.jpg?t=1576750918)
Boris era begins in UK - Brexit gets done
![Irish beef farmers feeling the pinch](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2019/12/136351/thumb_Farmers_Protests_over_beef_prices_RollingNews.jpg?t=1576145106)
Irish beef farmers feeling the pinch
![Irish react to return of our arrogant ISIS bride](https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article-v2/2019/12/136248/thumb_ISIS_Bride_Lisa_Smith_Dublin_airport_RollingNews.jpg?t=1575570786)
Irish react to return of our arrogant ISIS bride
Most read
- 1 "Life in Donegal is truly magical"- This couple are raffling a dream home in Ireland
- 2 These hilarious gravestone epitaphs prove Irish dark wit is unmatched
- 3 Experiencing Titanic's last port of call in Cobh, Ireland
- 4 Ireland's most popular surnames and their meanings
- 5 On This Day: Christy Brown of "My Left Foot" died
- 6 Best Irish castles to get married in 2023 revealed
- 7 Tracing your Irish ancestry - The O'Reilly Clan
- 8 Irish famine emigrant's emotional letter home to Mom and Dad in 1850
- 9 Find out the meaning behind your Irish surname - Part III